Pre-Departure Checklist

Once you have completed the above steps and you have received your visa, there are a few more things to do before you travel to the UK.

Before you leave

Before your travel date, make sure you complete some essential research about life in the UK and some small tasks to aid your travel:

• Make sure you check the latest travel rules for your arrival airport
• Book your flights to Manchester and book onto our Airport Welcome Service
• Learn all about studying in the UK and British life on the British Council’s Study UK website
• Start preparing for your UK studies using the Prepare for Success guide
• Check your baggage allowance with your airline
• Clearly label your luggage with your destination address and contact details

What to include in your luggage

• Your passport or travel document with a valid Student Visa or other type of visa that permits study.
• Your Manchester Met offer letter, Certificate of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) or Visiting Visa letter.
• Any qualifications mentioned on your CAS, including the qualification we have used to assess your English Language ability.
• Evidence to prove that you have sufficient funds to pay for your studies in the UK as required for Student Visa holders.
• Any health certificates such as vaccination records or a TB certificate if you were required to obtain one when applying for a visa.
• Travel insurance information.
• Any medications you are taking and information from a doctor if necessary.
• Cash (in pound sterling £), or a pre-paid credit card, for your first few weeks in the UK.
• Passport size photographs.
• Manchester Met’s Security Contacts: Manchester +44 (0)161 247 1334.
• A mobile phone charger and adapter (Type G is an example of the plugs used in the UK).
• A change of clothes.
• Photocopies of important documents.
• A trolly coin or trolly keyring to use for airport luggage.

Bring in your checked luggage

• Clothes, shoes, and essential toiletries.
• Posters and photos of family and home.

Do not bring in your hand luggage

• Very valuable items, e.g., expensive jewellery.
• A large volume of cash.
• Food products – you can buy all food items (including international) at local supermarkets.
• You do not need to buy any textbooks prior to arrival; it is best to wait until you are here and purchase them once you have the reading list.
• TV’s or cooking appliances, such as rice cookers.
• Bedding and kitchenware – they will take up too much space and are easy to buy in the UK. Check with your accommodation if they provide these items, as some do.
• Too much! You are responsible for getting your luggage to your accommodation so do not pack more than you can comfortably carry.

For information on items that are not allowed to be brought into the UK, or when import tax must be paid please visit the HM Revenue & Customs website

When you have arrived in the UK, there are a few things you need to complete.

Complete a Right to Study check and enrol

You need to complete a Right to Study check and enrol online before you join any classes. You will receive information from the Visa Compliance team on how to do this. Visit the enrol on your course page for further information.

Collect your Biometric Residency Permit (BRP)

Some students will need to collect a BRP on arrival. Your visa decision letter will tell you if this applies to you, and where to collect it from. Go to Biometric Residency Permit for further information about collecting your BRP.

Shop for essentials

Online shops for student essentials

If you are staying in managed accommodation (such as Manchester Met accommodation, Unite or Vita) your accommodation provider may have an online shop for student essentials such as bedding and crockery packs. Some also have basic food essentials. Check your accommodation provider’s website or App for further information.

As well as the supermarkets in the UK, ‘Unpacked’ provides students with deliveries of essential bedding, kitchenware, and electronic packages in one box direct to University halls or any private accommodation in Manchester.

You can select your delivery address at the checkout using a drop-down of Manchester Met approved accommodation or enter your own address manually.

You can find more by visiting the Unpacked website.

Amazon

As a registered student, you will qualify for Amazon Prime free of charge, which means you can get free and fast delivery. Be aware parcels containing food won’t be stored in refrigerated conditions when they arrive.

Supermarket deliveries

Most large supermarkets deliver to student accommodation providers and private residences. The availability of slots will depend on where you live and how far in advance you book. Supermarkets will deliver food, household goods (such as kitchenware and bedding) and non-prescription medication as part of their delivery services. Most of the major supermarkets will also offer same-day delivery via UberEats or Deliveroo.

It is important to consider your budget before choosing where to shop. For a low - mid-range budget, you can visit Aldi (which has no bookable delivery services) or Asda. For a mid-range budget, you can shop at Tesco or Morrisons. Those with a mid-high range budget can also visit Sainsbury’s or Ocado.

Cooked food deliveries

You can order food, freshly cooked, from your local restaurants direct to your door. The following websites will help you book deliveries for freshly cooked food catering to a variety food of tastes:

• JustEat
• Deliveroo
• UberEats
• HungryPanda